Broccoli good for COPD patients

People suffering from the chronic breathing disorder - chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are benefited with an extra helping of broccoli .COPD is a progressive lung condition that is mostly seen in smokers and former smokers. It is characterized by emphysema and chronic bronchitis, which obstructs airflow to the lungs. Researchers from America did a study to determine the link between severity of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), oxidative stress and NRF2-dependent antioxidants levels in the peripheral lung tissue of patients with COPD. They analysed the tissue samples from the lungs of smokers and former smoker with or without COPD. A correlation between severe COPD and a decrease in lung concentrations of a specific protein called NRF2, which defends the lungs against inflammation-related injury was found. Broccoli contains a compound that helps stabilise NRF2 levels in the lung. When the researchers compared the healthy lung tissues with COPD lung tissues, it showed a marked decline in the activity and concentrations of NRF2-dependent, inflammation-fighting antioxidants. This defect, seen in the COPD lung, appeared to be associated with the reduction in another protein called DJ -1, whose main function is to stabilise NRF2 and prevent its degradation. Clear signs of cell-damaging oxidative stress in the COPD lungs were also evident. In the lab, the broccoli compound sulforaphane was able to restore the antioxidant imbalance in COPD lung tissue.The findings emphasise the potential of drugs to boost NRF2-regulated antioxidant defenses in the lung in patients with COPD. However, future studies should target NRF2 as a novel strategy to increase antioxidant protection in the lungs and test its ability to decrease exacerbations and improve lung function in patients with COPD.

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